Ocean Discovery – Piraeus (Athens), Kusadasi (Ephesus) & Iraklion

About this cruise

If you want the classic cruise without a massive time commitment, this is a strong option. 7 nights from Piraeus (Athens) on November 9, 2027, visiting Kusadasi, Heraklion, Katakolon, Naples, Genoa and Civitavecchia (Rome). The trip wraps in Civitavecchia (Rome), so you won't retrace your steps. There's a stretch of back-to-back port days, so those days are busy, but the sea days around them give you time to recharge. The Eastern Mediterranean route takes in Türkiye, Greece and Italy, 3 countries, and the differences show up in the food, the architecture, and the mood. Most ports give you about 8 hours, so you can do more than just tick off the main sights. As for the ship itself, MSC Splendida keeps you well fed. 6 places to eat, with 2 included in the fare and a few specialty spots if you're in the mood. If you like having options (restaurants, bars, activities, entertainment), a big ship delivers that. Being shoulder season helps: golden light, comfortable weather, and shorter queues at the popular spots. Whether you've cruised before or not, this 7-night itinerary is a genuinely good one.